Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Brothers and sisters need to quit fighting and forgive

Pope Francis: May warring siblings forgive each other during the Year of Mercy

2016-01-27
The weekly general audience has returned to St. Peter's Square, where thousands of pilgrims can show their affection for Pope Francis. He returned to his catechesis on mercy with a message for families who may be fighting amongst themselves.

POPE FRANCIS
"I think of the many siblings that have become estranged from family and do not speak. And this Year of Mercy is a good opportunity for them to reconnect, embrace, and forgive each other. To forget the bad things.”

Recalling the story of Moses, who saved the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt, the Pope explained that God is not indifferent to the suffering of mankind.

POPE FRANCIS
"The mercy of God is not indifferent to the pain of the downtrodden, the cry of whose tho suffer violence, slavery, or are condemned to death. It makes us feel impotent and tempts us to harden our hearts. God, in turn, 'is not indifferent,' he does not abandon, but instead acts and saves.”

The Pope insisted that God loves every person in a special and privileged way. He encouraged people to discover that reality.

The audience ended on a colorful note, thanks to these circus performers.

POPE FRANCIS
"I thank you for the nice display. You are creators of beauty. You make beauty and beauty does good for the soul. Beauty brings us closer to God. Behind this show of beauty, there are so many hours of training. Continue forward, continue. And thank you.”

A circus has performed at the Vatican before, but it was perhaps the first time that the Pope said their work brings people closer to God.

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